An axial flux motor includes a housing; a drive shaft disposed within the housing; at least one rotor; and at least one stator. The at least one rotor includes a diametrically-magnetized single pole pair magnetic ring having a rotor aperture defined through the center of the magnetic ring, where the drive shaft extends through the rotor aperture and where the at least one rotor is fixed to the drive shaft. The at least one stator includes a number of conductive windings and a stator aperture, where the drive shaft extends through the stator aperture and where the drive shaft is rotatable within the aperture. The at least one stator is configured to generate an axial magnetic field that causes the at least one rotor to rotate, thereby rotating the drive shaft.

A bearing assembly is configured to retain a distal end of an impeller of a blood pump, where the impeller includes a drive shaft. The bearing assembly includes a pivot member coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft; a distal bearing cup having a proximally-facing surface configured to engage at least a portion of a distal section of the pivot member; and a sleeve bearing disposed around at least a portion of a proximal section of the pivot member.

A bearing assembly is configured to retain a distal end of an impeller of a blood pump, where the impeller includes a drive shaft. The bearing assembly includes a pivot member coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft; a distal bearing cup having a proximally-facing surface configured to engage at least a portion of a distal section of the pivot member; and a sleeve bearing disposed around at least a portion of a proximal section of the pivot member.

A blood pump includes an impeller assembly housing; and an impeller assembly disposed within the impeller assembly housing. The impeller assembly includes an impeller having a main body, at least one impeller blade extending outwardly therefrom, and a skirt disposed around at least a portion of the main body. At least a portion of the at least one impeller blade is disposed between the main body and an inner surface of the skirt.

A blood pump includes an impeller assembly housing; and an impeller assembly disposed within the impeller assembly housing. The impeller assembly includes an impeller having a main body, at least one impeller blade extending outwardly therefrom, and a skirt disposed around at least a portion of the main body. At least a portion of the at least one impeller blade is disposed between the main body and an inner surface of the skirt.

A percutaneous circulatory support device includes a housing having a proximal end portion and a motor carried by the housing. A driving magnet is operatively coupled to the motor, and a driven magnet is operatively coupled to the driving magnet. The driven magnet includes a frustoconical shape. An impeller is disposed within the housing, and the impeller is operatively coupled to the driven magnet. The motor rotates the impeller, via the driving magnet and the driven magnet, relative to the impeller housing to cause blood to flow through the percutaneous circulatory support device and blood is inhibited from pooling in the proximal end portion of the impeller housing.

A percutaneous circulatory support device includes a housing having a proximal end portion and a motor carried by the housing. A driving magnet is operatively coupled to the motor, and a driven magnet is operatively coupled to the driving magnet. The driven magnet includes a frustoconical shape. An impeller is disposed within the housing, and the impeller is operatively coupled to the driven magnet. The motor rotates the impeller, via the driving magnet and the driven magnet, relative to the impeller housing to cause blood to flow through the percutaneous circulatory support device and blood is inhibited from pooling in the proximal end portion of the impeller housing.

A heart pump including a housing defining a cavity including at least one inlet aligned with an axis of the cavity and at least one outlet provided in a circumferential outer wall of the cavity. An impeller is provided within the cavity, the impeller including a rotor and vanes mounted on the rotor for urging fluid from the inlet radially outwardly to the outlet. A drive is provided for rotating the impeller in the cavity, the drive including a plurality of circumferentially spaced permanent drive magnets mounted within and proximate a first face of the rotor, adjacent drive magnets having opposing polarities and a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive coils mounted within the housing proximate a first end of the cavity, each coil being wound on a respective drive stator pole of a drive stator and being substantially radially aligned with the drive magnets, the drive coils being configured to generate a drive magnetic field that cooperates with the drive magnets to thereby rotate the impeller. A magnetic bearing is also provided to thereby at least one of control an axial position of the impeller and at least partially restrain radial movement of the impeller.

A heart pump including a housing defining a cavity including at least one inlet aligned with an axis of the cavity and at least one outlet provided in a circumferential outer wall of the cavity. An impeller is provided within the cavity, the impeller including a rotor and vanes mounted on the rotor for urging fluid from the inlet radially outwardly to the outlet. A drive is provided for rotating the impeller in the cavity, the drive including a plurality of circumferentially spaced permanent drive magnets mounted within and proximate a first face of the rotor, adjacent drive magnets having opposing polarities and a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive coils mounted within the housing proximate a first end of the cavity, each coil being wound on a respective drive stator pole of a drive stator and being substantially radially aligned with the drive magnets, the drive coils being configured to generate a drive magnetic field that cooperates with the drive magnets to thereby rotate the impeller. A magnetic bearing is also provided to thereby at least one of control an axial position of the impeller and at least partially restrain radial movement of the impeller.

A blood flow assist system can include an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft and an impeller on the impeller shaft, a primary flow pathway disposed along an exterior surface of the impeller. The system can include a rotor assembly at a proximal portion of the impeller shaft. A secondary flow pathway can be disposed along a lumen of the impeller shaft. During operation of the blood flow assist system, blood can be pumped proximally along the primary flow pathway and the secondary flow pathway. The system can include a sleeve bearing distal the impeller. The system can include a drive unit having a distal end disposed distal a proximal end of the second impeller. The drive unit comprising a drive magnet and a drive bearing between the drive magnet and the impeller assembly.